Cryosurgical probe with adjustable freeze zone

A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

• a stationary assembly, comprising:
• a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• b) a cryostat assembly comprising a cryostat housing, said cryostat housing including a cryostat housing attachment end secured to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing;
• c) a stationary cylindrical insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing;
• and,
• d) a Joule-Thomson tube assembly securely positioned within said actuator housing;
• and,
• a positionable assembly, comprising:
• a) a rotatable cylindrical actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said cylindrical actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing;
• and,
• b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said rotatable cylindrical actuator, wherein rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator provides desired freezing.

A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

• an actuator housing assembly, comprising:
• a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said distal end portion of said actuator housing;
• an actuator assembly, comprising:
• a) a rotatable actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said rotatable actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing, said rotatable actuator having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• b) a delivery system for a cryogenic fluid secured to said rotatable actuator;
• and,
• c) an insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said rotatable actuator, said insulation layer extending along an inner surface of said cryosurgical shaft to define insulated portions of said cryosurgical shaft and uninsulated portions, the relative disposition of insulated and uninsulated portions of said cryosurgical shaft assembly defining a least one freeze zone which is adjustable by relative rotation between said rotatable actuator and said actuator housing.

A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

• a stationary assembly, comprising:
• a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said distal end portion of said actuator housing;
• a positionable assembly, comprising:
• a) a rotatable cylindrical actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said cylindrical actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing;
• b) a cryostat assembly comprising a cryostat housing, said cryostat housing including a cryostat housing attachment end secured to said rotatable cylindrical actuator;
• c) a cylindrical insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said rotatable cylindrical actuator;
• and,
• d) a Joule-Thomson tube assembly securely positioned within said cylindrical actuator, wherein rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator provides desired freezing.